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Kate reunites with pal Roger Federer during emotional Wimbledon tribute

04 July 2023 , 14:05
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Kate reunites with pal Roger Federer during emotional Wimbledon tribute
Kate reunites with pal Roger Federer during emotional Wimbledon tribute

The Princess of Wales reunited with tennis ace and friend Roger Federer during an emotional tribute to him at Wimbledon.

Kate was on a surprise visit to the tournament today, where a special ceremony honouring eight-time champion Federer took place before play on Centre Court.

Before the tribute began, the princess, who wowed in a mint green Balmain blazer and pleated white skirt, took her seat in the Royal Box.

She was greeted with applause, and those around her stood and applauded as she was led to the stands.

Minutes later, Kate was on her feet as she stood applauding Federer, who was also welcomed to the box after a video of his achievements was played.

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Kate reunites with pal Roger Federer during emotional Wimbledon tributeKate applauds eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer (Phil Harris / Daily Mirror)

He took a seat next to the princess, who was stood clapping as the 41-year-old arrived at the scene of his eight titles for the first time since he retired last September.

The pair could be seen exchanging a few words and even a joke as the Swiss player enjoyed a long standing ovation, leaving him looking emotional.

It was the first time Kate and the tennis player had been seen together since appearing in a warm-up promo video for Wimbledon highlighting the work of ball boys and girls.

Kate reunites with pal Roger Federer during emotional Wimbledon tributeRoger takes a bow as Kate applauds his achievements (Phil Harris / Daily Mirror)

During the video, Kate, 41, beat the 20-time Grand Slam winner when they had a quick game at Wimbledon.

And Swiss ace Roger was so impressed he couldn't help gasping, 'Amazing!' as the royal served up her winning shot.

It is believed Roger and wife Mirka are friends of the Middletons with them attending Kate's sister Pippa's wedding in 2017. Kate once also revealed how the tennis star was also her mum Carole's hearthrob.

Meanwhile, behind them in the royal box today sat British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was imprisoned in Iran for six years, while other VIPs included former Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha.

Kate reunites with pal Roger Federer during emotional Wimbledon tributeRoger chats to Kate as they settle in to watch women's defending champion Elena Rybakina (Phil Harris / Daily Mirror)

They will all watch the first-round tie between Shelby Rogers and defending women's champion Elena Rybakina before seeing Sir Andy Murray battle fellow Briton Ryan Peniston.

Earlier, Kate had been on Court 18, one of the outside courts, to watch Brit No 1 Katie Boulter, who is taking on Australia's Daria Saville in her first-round match.

Kate reunites with pal Roger Federer during emotional Wimbledon tributeKate also chatted to Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was also in the royal box (PA)

But her stint on Court 18 didn't last long as she was forced to take shelter under an umbrella and was seen leaving the court as rain stopped play. The match was suspended and the court covered because of the wet weather.

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On Court One, Cameron Norrie will face Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic.

British colleagues Heather Watson, George Loffhagen, Arthur Fery and Sonay Kartal will also play while Dan Evans continues his match after it was suspended on Monday.

Jennifer Newton

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